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Breakthrough set to drive China's male tennis player forward

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-13 08:10

China's Bai Yan returns a shot to Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic during their men's singles first-round match at the Shanghai Rolex Masters. Bai won 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round, where he will play fourth seed Andy Murray. [Photo by Ron Angle/Shanghai Rolex Masters]

SHANGHAI - Chinese youngster Bai Yan stunned Czech veteran Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round of the ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters on Tuesday, heralding a major breakthrough for China's male players on the international stage.

Struggling in the world rankings at No 465, far away from his opponent's No 30 status, wild card Bai's journey in the tournament's main draw seemed likely to end at the first round as he met 31-year-old Stepanek, who was ranked as high as No 8 in 2006. Even Andy Murray, who will face Bai in the second round after a first-round byetalked of a potentially tough battle against the Czech at a news conference on Monday.

However, Bai converted all four break-point opportunities he created and served three aces and only one double fault to defeat his rival in 89 minutes, surprising everybody, including himself.

"Definitely, it is beyond my expectations. My rival is much better than me, and he has a much higher ranking. It is my first time at a top-level tour event, so it is really a surprise for me," said 21-year-old Bai, who fought his way into the quarterfinals of the Australian Open Junior event in 2007.

Now Bai must prepare for world No 4 Murray, and he believes his relative anonymity may be his greatest weapon.

"I don't think he has any specific plans for me. I'll do my best job and try to put him under some pressure," he said.

A few hours after Stepanek lost, former world No 3 Ivan Ljubicic found himself locked in a three-set tussle against Chinese wild card Zhang Ze. Both served 11 aces, but the experience of Ljubicic paid off as he defeated Zhang, the world No 308 who was playing in his first top-flight ATP match, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 34 minutes.

Although he lost the battle, Zhang impressed the spectators with his fighting spirit and strong forehand.

"I am not as good as him in terms of my strengths, and also I have little experience while he's more mature on the court. But I always believe there is a chance. It just depends on how you perform on the court." Zhang said

Earlier in the day, world No 10 Andy Roddick advanced to the second round when Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew in the second set of their match due to an injury. Roddick, who was leading the German 6-3, 2-1 after 53 minutes of play, improved his record this season to 43-12 and has his sights set on the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

"Yeah, London is something I want to be a part of. I'm not sure how many years in a row I've qualified for it. But it's something I'd like to keep going to, and a goal at the beginning of every year," the American said.

Roddick's compatriot John Isner, the world No 16, avoided an early exit after saving a match point in the second set and four in the third to beat Polish qualifier Lukasz Kubot 4-6, 7-6 (9), 7-6 (7) in 2:50.

China Daily